Athletic Bilbao are still aiming to qualify for next season’s Champions League after coming back to defeat Sporting Gijon 2-1, says boss Ernesto Valverde.
Duje Cop’s first half penalty gave the struggling Asturians the lead at San Mames but an Iker Munain strike and Aritz Aduriz spot kick ensured victory for the hosts, who despite sitting 7th are only four points off 4th-placed Atletico Madrid.
“You see there is not a lot of difference between four teams looking for that spot so as long as we don’t lose much more ground…as long as we keep picking up points and looking up," stated Valverde after the match.
“This victory was very intense – they started so well and we struggled to deal with their shape and pressure on the ball, but we made some changes at the break and took some risks and they paid off.”
